Forum Discussion
What has helped you through your journey?
I thought I would start a post to see what has helped people through their journey, so that maybe something might help others.
I will start with:
- Ahh Bra Type tops - I found these great post op and still now, they are comfortable, and great.
- Calypo Icy poles (the mini ones) - I have found these great for my VERY sore tongue.
- Mini spray perfume - I got one of these for my Mum who was VERY self conscious after her chemo made going to the toilet smelly, She used it as a toilet spray when out. As was recommened on another post - (DO NOT use your favourite perfume smell, just buy a cheap one you can stand the smell of. If needed).
- Waterless Hand Sanitiser - I use this all the time when out. I try to keep my hands as clean as possible.
- Vitamin E liquid capsules - I use these on my scars, simply pierce one capsule and rub the contents on yuor scars (once they have healed of course), it works great, and is VERY low allergy.
So there is my first couple of contributions, I hope one or more helps somebody else, and I hope other will add too.
107 Replies
I had oral thrush first round and the Nilstate 4 xs a day tastes like bad bananas. By the time I got rid of the thrush, I was gagging. I was determined not to have it again. I also had any bacterial eye infection. I totally removed sugar treats or anything I didnt prepare myself and stuck to fruit, veg etc, no honey, no sugar, fish, chicken, eggs, rice etc Guess what - NO THRUSH. Drinking water non stop is vital especially the day you have Chemo. Reading the all the My Journey info, keeping Diaries, learning about food and nutrition again, stretches, using the Pilates DVD, walks. Basically turning into an angel - and biggest one "No wine". (I remind myself its not forever). The BCNA Website, my new friends Ive made via BCNA. My Breast Care Nurse and regional nurse and any-one Ive cried to over the phone, ( only once!). Biotene mouth wash, new toothbrushes, bi-carb, Inner Health Plus twice a day = Immune Booster, Oh, and yes, Coloxy and Senna, how about the Constipation and Im behaving!!!!!! Books and DVD's. Did I mention my sense of humour when it comes back on Day 10?
I must admit I didn't hate it, I just never wanted to wear it. I too was/am a blue person, so now when I make us a new quilt it does have some pink and purple in it, but still is predominantly blue. Pink now has a special meaning. Cheers, Elayne
How many others of us out there.. that hated or disliked Pink before getting BC.... now it's 'my colour'.... I use to hate it... considered mself a 'blue' person... now I'm all Pink..
pink sigh....
Trina
How many others of us out there.. that hated or disliked Pink before getting BC.... now it's 'my colour'.... I use to hate it... considered mself a 'blue' person... now I'm all Pink..
pink sigh....
Trina
This sure is a great thread.
One of the things that helped me during my chemo was to keep a diary/journal. All the emotions were poured onto the pages. Each day of how I was feeling, physically and mentally. It was good to look back a few times to see how I was feeling at the same time in the previous month. It helped me when I thought I should be feeling better than I did, only to find that I had felt the same way at the same time last month. My memory got a bit muddled at times. We called it Chemo Brain.
It can be a bit overwhelming to see all of the possible side effects, but as someone else said, we don't get all of them, just some of them.
I had a choice of whether or not to have chemo. As far as the Drs thought, they had got everything. The chemo was just an insurance policy. It took me 2 weeks to decide to go ahead with it. At least this way I know that I have done everything to kill off any hidden suckers that hadn't shown their faces yet.
The most exciting thing for me (apart from being able to really taste food again) was noticing two months after the final treatment a shadow appear on my head, on closer inspection, lo and behold, it was hair.
Keep us informed of your progress and if we can help you on your journey we will be here for you.
I also haven't been a great fan of pink, however I too wear it now and get complemented on good I look in pink. Hmmmm oh well maybe it isn't so bad after all.
Happy 2013 to all.
ElayneThis sure is a great thread.
One of the things that helped me during my chemo was to keep a diary/journal. All the emotions were poured onto the pages. Each day of how I was feeling, physically and mentally. It was good to look back a few times to see how I was feeling at the same time in the previous month. It helped me when I thought I should be feeling better than I did, only to find that I had felt the same way at the same time last month. My memory got a bit muddled at times. We called it Chemo Brain.
It can be a bit overwhelming to see all of the possible side effects, but as someone else said, we don't get all of them, just some of them.
I had a choice of whether or not to have chemo. As far as the Drs thought, they had got everything. The chemo was just an insurance policy. It took me 2 weeks to decide to go ahead with it. At least this way I know that I have done everything to kill off any hidden suckers that hadn't shown their faces yet.
The most exciting thing for me (apart from being able to really taste food again) was noticing two months after the final treatment a shadow appear on my head, on closer inspection, lo and behold, it was hair.
Keep us informed of your progress and if we can help you on your journey we will be here for you.
I also haven't been a great fan of pink, however I too wear it now and get complemented on good I look in pink. Hmmmm oh well maybe it isn't so bad after all.
Happy 2013 to all.
Elayne- I love this thread. In fact, I think it's the longest and most informed ( lol at times too) I've come across. Thank you for creating. Yes, water, water and more water. Walk each day to relieve those sore joints and as most have said stay clear of people with colds. I was having chemo over Xmas last year. Avoid if you can everyone wanting to kiss you during the festive season which I hadn't thought about until my nurses explained the possible risks. Just explain, friends won't be offended. Calcium for your bones and vitamin D to help absorb the calcium tablets eg. Caltrate. I hadn't realised that the steroid we take demexathone ( can't spell it at the moment) takes months to fully get out of your body. The added weight I put on and fluid retention is now starting to leave my system finally. It's taken well over 6mths. This may not be a side effect of everyone but it was for me. I'm thankful as its lifted my spirits. Oh and I love what someone said in the chemo ward to me, she said just think we are getting a face lift inside our body's with all our cells being replaced with new ones! Our complexions haven't looked better! All the best you gorgeous and wonderful people and happy new year ! Xoxo Donna
- I love this thread. In fact, I think it's the longest and most informed ( lol at times too) I've come across. Thank you for creating. Yes, water, water and more water. Walk each day to relieve those sore joints and as most have said stay clear of people with colds. I was having chemo over Xmas last year. Avoid if you can everyone wanting to kiss you during the festive season which I hadn't thought about until my nurses explained the possible risks. Just explain, friends won't be offended. Calcium for your bones and vitamin D to help absorb the calcium tablets eg. Caltrate. I hadn't realised that the steroid we take demexathone ( can't spell it at the moment) takes months to fully get out of your body. The added weight I put on and fluid retention is now starting to leave my system finally. It's taken well over 6mths. This may not be a side effect of everyone but it was for me. I'm thankful as its lifted my spirits. Oh and I love what someone said in the chemo ward to me, she said just think we are getting a face lift inside our body's with all our cells being replaced with new ones! Our complexions haven't looked better! All the best you gorgeous and wonderful people and happy new year ! Xoxo Donna
Great if all the posts help those starting the chemo train. Try not to get concerned when they give you the sheet of possible side effects. Al of us get some of them a few of us get ones not on the list but none of us get all of them. Stress is the biggest issue so do whatever it takes to reduce stress --- listen to your favourite music, try to relax and drink plenty of clear fluids before the chemo to make it easier for them to find a vein to get the stuff into you. Plenty more after to flush it out! the toilet is your friend as it means you are getting rid of the toxins and any residual cancer.
Just remember chemo attacks all fast growing cells hence hair loss, issues with sore mouth and gums and anywhere mucos is. It makes us more vulnerable to infections we otherwise might not catch so people with colds and infections should be avoided - you don't want to get pneumonia!
Think of it this way - some people do not require chemo at all but then others had 8 followed by another year of Herceptin infusions like me. Most then are symptom free for years even decades while some have recurrences or new primaries. There always is someone better off than you and plenty who are worse off.
Keep in touch with your humourous friends & family and make excuses to avoid those who always are sick, negative and complaining for your own sanity - your battle is hard enough without the naysayers and people who know of someone far worse than you who .........
I liked to think of myself as being pushed along by the medical train steamrollering me and my body into submission to remove that dratted cancer and any cells which had travelled. It was better than trying vainly to be in control of everything when clearly I was not.
Hope this helps,
remember you are on the way up now you have had diagnosis, srugery and are starting chemo. 2013 had got to be better healthwise for most of us
Carol
the fluffy grandma who is enjoying her Japanese spitz dogs and their 6 puppies born the week before Christmas
- You're not preaching! Thanks for your support and advice. Including thinking I have a great attitude. Currently sitting here with my stomach in knots feeling sick with nerves but it will pass because it has to! Have spent too much time reading about cancer this past week (as one needs to) and it's impossible to not stumble across things that scare me ... so taking a little time out from too much research now decision is made to see if I can rebuild calm and confidence in my head and heart for what lies ahead next. xo
